By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Meghalaya is keen to develop its shale gas assets and the government is open to tie ups with private power producers to tap this natural gas in the State.
“The part of Assam-Arakan basin that falls within the state is very rich in shale gas which is also a cheap source of energy. But the state lacks the technical know-how required for its (shale gas) development,” Principal Secretary Power Department JP Prakash said while addressing a conference on ‘Empowering the North East-Overcoming Challenges in Development of the Power Sector in the NE India’ here on Wednesday.
“A detailed study on the amount of shale gas available in the state is being conducted by a Mumbai-based company,” he said.
It may be mentioned that Shale gas is a natural gas formed from being trapped within shale formations.
While talking about the power scenario in the state, the Principal Secretary, Power lamented that the state is unable to move beyond the MOU culture. “We want to know what stops project developers from implementing these projects,” he questioned while informing that six MoUs in hydel power projects and three MoUs in thermal power projects have been signed in the last few years but the projects have not been implemented.
“If there is an impression that profits are being siphoned out of the region, then that may not be acceptable to people. However, people would welcome investments in the power sector which would take care of their needs,” he said.
Bindo urges firms to respect local sentiments
Earlier, urging investors to venture into the state, Deputy Chief Minister BM Lanong said that Meghalaya has potentials for industrialization and power generation.
“The state has around 12,000 million tonnes of lime stone and 600 million tonnes of coal under its belt,” he said while allaying the apprehension on part of investors on the militancy menace in the state.
“People rising against the system is more dangerous than militancy,” he said adding that judicious and transparent approach is required on part of the firms while undertaking any project in the state.
According to Lanong, the firms and even the government must respect local people, laws and environment while implementing a project.
“If a company follows transparency (while implementing a project) there will not be any problems,” he said.
Earlier, Chief Secretary WMS Pariat too asserted that local sentiments must be taken into consideration during the planning of a power project, especially when it comes to land acquisition.
He also suggested the private firms can train the local youth and employ them in the power project which requires huge man power.
